XXXVlll 
Comparatively little information has been obtained in regard to Groceries, 
returns being available only for Aachen, Mannheim and Mülhausen. So far as 
it is possible to judge from these few returns, prices appear to have undergone 
little change. 
On the whole, then, it would appear that the marked increase in the price 
of bread in Germany between October, 1905, and the early months of 1908, was 
to some extent off-set by the lower price of pork, whilst the prices of beef were 
at practically the same level as at the earlier date, though it must be 
remembered that during a considerable part of the intervening period meat 
prices had been at a very much higher level. 
# 
Changes in Wages. 
There has been on the whole a marked upward movement in the pre 
dominant weekly rates of wages or earnings between October, 1905, and 
March, 1908,—a period of great industrial activity and expansion—in all the 
towns and in all the industries investigated. The following table shows 
the percentage changes in the predominant weekly earnings in various 
branches of the Engineering Tracies in five towns ; it will be seen that 
the rise has varied from 11 to 15 per cent, for most sections of the 
trade in Magdeburg and Mannheim, from 5 to 8 per cent, in Berlin and 
Mülhausen, and from 2*7 to 3 per cent, at Chemnitz. The general average 
suggests a rise of something over 8 per cent, for the trade as a whole. Part of 
these increases has undoubtedly been effected in the face of a fall in piece-rates, 
owing ip the speeding-up of machinery, and the introduction of more efficient 
methods. 
Percentage Increases in Predominant Weekly Wages in the Engineering Trades 
between October, 1905, and March, 1908. 
Occupation. 
Berlin. 
Chemnitz. 
Magdeburg. 
Mannheim. 
Mülhausen. Average, 
Moulders 
Fitters 
Turners 
Smiths 
Pattern-Makers 
Labourers ... 
Per cent. 
5*4 
7- 9 
4- 5 
5- 9 
1-4 
8- 0 
Per cent. 
2-8 
2-8 
2-8 
2-7 
2-7 
30 
Per cent. 
13-7 
131 
115 
11-6 
125 
11-0 
Per cent. 
14-9 
13-4 
150 
18-0* 
148 
6-4 
Per cent. 
9-1 
7-0 
7-1 
4- 6 
5- 5 
52 
Information from one firm only. 
Per cent. 
9-2 
8-8 
8-2 
8-6 
7-4 
6-7 
In the Building Trades the general movement has again been upward, as is 
shown by the following Table, which gives the percentage changes for certain 
occupations for which data comparable to that for October, 1905, could be 
obtained ; in only one case, that of the bricklayers and masons at Aachen, was a 
decline reported. The average increase for the occupations included in this 
Table is a little over 7 per cent. In the building trades wages are, as a rule 
regulated by agreements ; wages are generally increased at each revision of the 
agreements, and where, as in some instances, there have been two revisions 
since October, 1905, the advances have been considerable. 
Percentage Increases in Predominant Weekly Wages in the Building Trades 
between October, 1905, and March, 1908. 
Occupation. 
Aachen. 
Bricklayers 
Masons. 
Carpenters ... 
Painters 
Labourers ... 
and 
Per cent. 
(-3-4) 
9-4 
7-3 
130 
Berlin. 
Per cent. 
2-8 
2-8 
212 
2-7 
Chemnitz. 
Magdeburg. 
Mannheim. 
Per cent. 
11-5 
115 
0-0 
171 
Per cent. 
3-9 
3-9 
3-6 
7-3 
Per cent. 
81 
13-6 
00 
Average. 
Per cent. 
4-6 
6-9 
9-1 
8-0